I was approached recently by a potential client asking to work with my literary agency. “The audience I write to is the progressive Christian,” she stated in her introduction.

It’s an interesting term and one that I hear more and more often. Another is the “Christian Left.” Unfortunately, the two terms can mix no better than oil and water. They are oxymorons.

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What is a “progressive Christian?” By definition both terms listed above embrace the following:

• To affirm that the teachings of Jesus provide just one of many ways to experience the “Sacredness and Oneness of life.”
• The importance of drawing from diverse sources of wisdom in our spiritual journey.
• Inclusivity of all believers and agnostics, sexual orientations and gender identities.
• The right to “choice.”
• A primary emphasis of protecting the Earth.

The result of embracing these beliefs is-–the culturally compromised Christian.

Rev. Gretta Vosper, a minister with the United Church of Canada, gives us insight into the progressive mindset as she made this statement in reference to the Bible.

“I am fortunate to work with a congregation that challenges me to choose readings for each Sunday that are not from the Bible. We use texts that offer us the opportunity to explore major issues related to being human. They come from ancient and modern literature, poetry and pop culture, movie scripts and love letters. As long as they are worthy of the people who will receive them, and fall within the purposes of our gathering – to ground ourselves in the interconnectedness of life, to be guided in our choices by love, and to grow in wisdom – we can read it[i] (emphasis mine).

What happened to the purpose of church being to worship God and exalt His holy name? How can we do that when His name isn’t even mentioned?

How do we know if we, or someone we know, has become culturally comprised?

• When the Bible is no longer the primary foundation of belief.
• Inclusivity and diversity are more important than righteousness and holiness.
• Environmental protection takes precedence over God’s instruction for man to have “dominion” over the earth and instead the earth takes dominion over man.
• Social justice becomes the primary goal over scriptural mandates.

If the Bible is no longer the plumb line by which we determine right from wrong and the Church is no longer founded on the teachings of Jesus Christ, we are no different than the world. Instead, as we can see stated above, progressivism is about “the interconnectedness of life, guided by our choices to love and grow in wisdom.”

It may sound good, but it’s not scriptural. Ah, but then we get back to the primary issue. Is the Bible the standard by which you measure every issue of life?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines social justice in terms of “the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.” That sounds good even honorable right? To fight for the poor and the oppressed. That we have a “fair” distribution of wealth, opportunities and privileges within society. That all persons, irrespective of ethnic origin, gender, possessions, race, religion, etc., are to be treated equally and without prejudice.[ii]

Isn’t that what the Bible instructs? Actually no. Yes, we are instructed to take care of the orphan and the widow. To be fair in our dealings with others. To love our neighbor as we love ourselves. To be kind to the foreigner. But throughout the Bible we see where God made a distinction between the people who served Him and those who didn’t. It wasn’t about fair. It was about obedience.

And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. (Mal 3:18)

How do we serve God? We obey His commandments—we honor His Word. It’s that simple.

Make no mistake there is a great division across our land. And while we often blame it on the political rhetoric, if we are honest with ourselves, the root cause is not a political issue. Instead, it is a spiritual one. It is the battle between the truth of God’s Word and the exaltation of man and humanism.

So how should we pray? It is necessary that we understand the root of this issue in order to effectively battle it in prayer.

1. For eyes to be opened, and for confusion and deception to be removed.

That we henceforth be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and their cunning and craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive. (Eph 4:14)

2. That pastors, leaders and those who have embraced the belief that “all roads lead to heaven” will come to the knowledge of the truth.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (Mt 7:13-14)

3. That we will be bold and courageous in this hour to speak out. As the Church, we were silent when prayer was taken out of schools. We were silent when abortion was made legal. We were silent when same-sex marriage became legal. The darkness now stands united as they press in to teach gender fluidity and LGBTQ+ practices to our little ones and take over our schools. It is time that we stand even more united and say “NO.”

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” (Eph 4:29)

4. Environmental protection has become a religion in and of itself. We need to use wisdom and care for the earth as our present-day habitation and as stewards of God’s creation; the “earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” It is to serve us rather than the reverse. We need to pray that their eyes will be opened again to see the Truth and that the veil of deception be removed.

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Gen 1:26-18)

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (2 Cor 3:16)

4. That the idolatry of “rights and choice” in our land would bow its knee to biblical truth that we are to lay down our “rights” to offer our bodies a living sacrifice to the Lord.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship. (Ro 12:1)

5. A return to holiness and revival in us, the Church, and our land. If revival took place, all of these other issues would begin to reverse. Holiness and righteousness—will always draw us back to Him, to purity, to love. There must be a return to the understanding of what is sin and that those who choose to live in such a lifestyle will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men^, nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (I Cor 6:9-11)

6. For God’s glory to be revealed. If people can see God, they would choose Him. In this hour many believe they ARE serving Him as they fight for practices and laws that are contrary to His Word. Let us pray that the glory of God be revealed across our land.

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Hb 2:14)

ABOUT

Karen Hardin is an intercessor, author, minister and literary agent.  Her work has appeared in USA Today, World Net Daily, Intercessors for America, Charisma, CBN.com, The Elijah List, etc. For additional information you can contact her at www.prioritypr.org or www.karenhardin.com

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[i] https://progressivechristianity.org/resources/choosing-a-bible/ accessed 4/25/19.

[ii] http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/social-justice.html accessed 4/25/19.